Dominic Cummings’ 260 mile trip to Durham has left the door wide open for Downing Street’s critics

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The Sun on Sunday

May 23 2020, 18:19 ET

Updated: May 24 2020, 6:56 ET

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DOMINIC Cummings has left the door wide open for Number 10’s critics.

As Boris Johnson’s key adviser, he was an architect of the lockdown that has kept us all behind doors for weeks on end.

⚠️ Read ourcoronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

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Dominic Cummings' 260 mile trip to Durham has left the door wide open for Downing Street's criticsCredit: AFP or licensors

So most people are shocked to find he drove 260 miles to his parents’ home in the first days of lockdown while his wife was ill with Covid-19 and he himself was showing symptoms.

Mr Cummings knows the level of scrutiny he is under and that he has to be seen to be beyond reproach. By doing this he has left himself open to claims that he behaves as if there is one law for him and one law for the rest of us.

But his case is very different to those of Professor Neil Ferguson and Scotland’s chief medical officer, Catherine Calderwood, who both resigned after breaking lockdown.

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Professor Ferguson went to visit his married lover and Dr Calderwood enjoyed a break at her holiday home.

Mr Cummings travelled to isolate himself and ensure the protection of his young son. He was a sick man doing what he thought was best.

However, his trip to Durham has ended up with Labour MPs, his Brexit enemies and many frustrated lockdown families demanding he resign.

Mr Cummings is credited with having the Government’s biggest brain.

It’s time he started using it.

Summer of learning

THE coronavirus crisis is a blight on our children’s education.

So it is heartening that a majority of teachers say they want to help pupils who have slipped behind with schools shut.

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61 per cent of teachers are willing to give up summer holidays to help kids get back on track

A poll has found that 61 per cent would willingly give up some of their summer holidays to teach those who need it.

Week-long summer schools can help disadvantaged children catch up by a staggering two months or more.

Militant union bosses set on sabotaging next month’s reopening of schools will no doubt rattle their sabres.

But the Government should unveil an extensive summer school scheme.

An army of teachers is ready and we owe it to the next generation.

Rishi's pint of order

“THIS country can’t be the only place in the world where people can’t go out and get a drink in the pub.”

Not our words, but those of Rishi Sunak.

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